can you still get breast cancer after a mastectomy

Release time ：Nov-08,2024

Despite undergoing mastectomy, the potential for breast cancer recurrence remains. This can occur because the surgery might not eliminate all cancer cells or because there could be minuscule clusters of cancer cells elsewhere in the body.

The risk of recurrence is influenced by several factors, including the tumor's type, grade, hormone receptor status, and HER2 status. For instance, patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer may require endocrine therapy post-surgery to mitigate the risk of recurrence. Additionally, even after a total mastectomy, it is exceedingly rare for new primary breast cancers to develop in the chest wall or chest skin. Moreover, breast cancer can disseminate to other parts of the body via the lymphatic system or bloodstream, leading to distant metastases.

Hence, for patients who have had a mastectomy, regular check-ups and imaging studies are crucial for the early detection of any potential recurrence or metastasis. Furthermore, patients should adhere to their physician's recommendations, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and keep a positive attitude to reduce the likelihood of breast cancer recurrence.